Doha, December 19 (QNA) - HE Minister of Transport Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti emphasized that Qatar National Day is an occasion that fills all the people of Qatar with pride and a sense of belonging to this generous homeland, and the rich history laid down by the ancestors on this blessed land, particularly the founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani who played a pivotal role in charting the path of development, growth, and prosperity for the state. Inspired by him, the wise leadership carried the torch to build a modern state that looks forward to the future while preserving its heritage and past.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the occasion of Qatar National Day, HE the Minister of Transport extended the sincerest congratulations and greetings to HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. He clarified that this precious occasion is an opportunity to renew the determination to continue building on previous achievements, exerting all efforts for the elevation of the nation, supporting the journey of comprehensive development and renaissance, and achieving further progress, growth, and prosperity for the Qatari people.
Regarding the achievements of the Ministry of Transport, HE the Minister affirmed that the accomplishments of the transportation sector in all its activities are in line with the wise leadership's visions. This includes the development of services for citizens, residents, and visitors, enhancing the quality of life by providing multimodal, interconnected, and environmentally friendly public transportation systems.
The efforts also support the transition to clean energy with the goal of reducing the country's carbon footprint towards carbon neutrality. Furthermore, there is an emphasis on promoting modern, smart transportation methods, optimizing energy resources, and creating advanced and sustainable infrastructure, particularly the current electric and smart transportation system. These achievements, especially the smart transportation system, contribute to encouraging the private sector to invest in the transportation sector.
His Excellency highlighted that the transportation sector is progressing rapidly in all areas, affirming that the ministry will continue to develop plans and programs to achieve sustainability in this vital sector to contribute to a prosperous future for the country's economy and future generations.
On the legislative and regulatory level, HE the Minister mentioned that the Ministry of Transport is actively working to enhance the legislation related to the transportation sector in the country, including issuing laws and ministerial decisions, as well as signing agreements and memoranda of understanding with several countries in the field of transportation and transit.
In the field of land transport, HE the Minister of Transport explained that the ministry, in line with its strategy for a comprehensive shift to clean energy, has launched a gradual comprehensive transition strategy for the electric bus system in public transportation to operate on 100 percent clean energy by 2030. Significant progress has been made in implementing this strategy, with the electric buses' operational percentage in the public transportation fleet reaching 70 percent during 2023.
Qatar is among the top countries in the region achieving this percentage in the emissions-free public transportation sector. Additionally, integrated infrastructure projects have been implemented, providing multiple benefits, including energy and fuel consumption savings, reducing harmful emissions and the country's carbon footprint, thus improving the quality of life.
He further noted that the Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA), has developed modern and sustainable infrastructure supporting electric vehicles, including the deployment of fast electric charging equipment across various locations in the country. Nine types of sites have been identified, spanning corporate, shopping, residential, traffic points, worship places, public services, entertainment, and sports facilities.
Around 200 charging station locations have been designated throughout Qatar, distributing approximately 600 charging units to be implemented gradually by 2025. During 2022, over 130 electric chargers were installed and operational, and in 2023, another 100 chargers were installed. The ministry is working on installing and operating 150 charging units in 2024.
Recognizing the pioneering role that electric and self-driving cars will play in the near future, the ministry is studying the standards, specifications, and technical measures for electric vehicles in collaboration with relevant authorities.
The aim is to establish and approve the minimum technical specifications and safety standards for this type of vehicle. Additionally, a specialized center is being established to examine and test their compliance, and issue accreditation certificates.
In support of innovation and keeping pace with global developments in the transportation sector, the Ministry of Transport launched the Autonomous Vehicles Strategy in 2023, including a five-year plan to regulate the terms and conditions of using these vehicles within Qatar, aiming to provide smart and environmentally friendly transportation systems.
Bolstering this leading role in the environmental sector, HE Minister of Transport Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti said that the ministry has launched a policy for using equivalent EURO-5 standard pure diesel fuel for all buses and trucks to be imported to Qatar, starting from the models manufactured in 2023. He noted the completion of a comprehensive plan for land transport in Qatar, which aims to formulate a national strategy regarding the strategic plans and systems related to land transport.
This includes policies, systems, and standards that serve the future of shipping and transportation in the country. Over 46 national land transport policies have been prepared, proposing 86 plans and projects until 2050. These encompass the development of road networks, freight trains, maritime and air transport projects, as well as supporting facilities for shipping operations, laws, governance, cargo technology, and the expansion of facilities supporting the transition to sustainable transportation. Speaking to QNA, HE the Minister of Transport that the ministry has assessed safety on more than 2,000 kilometers of highways, main roads, and arterial roads in the country.
This evaluation was conducted using the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) to enhance and assess the safety level on road networks, aiming to reduce the percentage of deaths and severe injuries resulting from traffic accidents. After detailed analysis, the results showed that over 80 percent of the existing road network has been classified between 3 and 4 stars, in line with the goals of the United Nations and its strategy. The ministry is currently working on preparing the necessary measures and procedures to enhance road safety.
In the field of maritime transport, His Excellency highlighted that the ministry continues its efforts in the maritime transport sector. Significant steps have been taken to train and develop the workforce in the maritime transport sector, including organizing training courses and workshops for personnel in maritime affairs and relevant state entities to update their expertise.
Several awareness campaigns have been conducted regarding monitoring the compliance of maritime vehicle operators with the required health procedures and adherence to maritime safety and security instructions.
In a related context, HE the Minister of Transport emphasized that Qatar's ports continued their pivotal role throughout 2023 by enhancing Qatar's position in the maritime transport sector and ensured the smooth flow of goods and supplies to local markets through the state's commercial maritime gateways.
Additionally, they played their traditional role in overcoming obstacles for supply chains, ensuring the smooth operations of commercial and tourist ports, alongside their role in consolidating the status of Hamad Port as Qatar's main gateway for global trade, regionally and internationally in line with the strategic plan of the Ministry of Transport, aiming to transform Qatar into a vibrant regional trading center.
HE the Minister added that the network of shipping lines for Hamad Port has been expanded by adding two new direct shipping lines in 2023, bringing the total number of shipping lines to 30, providing direct and indirect maritime services to over 100 maritime destinations worldwide.
Moreover, features such as registration, electronic payment, and the issuance of professional certificates have been added to the "Mwanina" electronic system, which enhances the diversity of services provided by the system to the port community, facilitating import and export activities and improving the customer experience to enhance Qatar's competitiveness in global logistics indicators.
In remarks to QNA, he noted the successful launch of the tourist season (2023-2024), expected to be the largest maritime season for cruises in Qatar to date. Anticipating 79 visits from cruise ships and over 270,000 passengers from October 2023 to April 2024, he noted that Hamad Port achieved the 8th position globally among the most efficient ports on the Container Port Performance Index 2022 issued by the World Bank and Standard & Poor's Global Ratings.
HE the Minister of Transport revealed that work is ongoing to complete the programs of the Ministry of Transport for the development of commercial ports in the country, including finalizing the food security station for the state, the project of the Al Ruwais Port market, which will contribute to increasing trade activity in the northern region, and continuing the third phase of development related to deepening the navigational channel from (-5) to (-10) and overall expansion of the port.
He highlighted that efforts are underway to develop and update the strategic and investment plan for Qatar Ports Management Company (Mwani) for 2022-2027.
The plan aims to set the broad lines for the company's domestic and foreign policies, drawing its strategic and investment directions for the short and long term. This will enhance its position and contribute to driving development by elevating the company's role in boosting the national economy.
This is in line with periodic maintenance work for all navigational aids along the coasts and various waterways in Qatar, as part of the Ministry of Transport's efforts to ensure safe and efficient movement for all ships in Qatari waters, preserving lives and property. In the field of civil aviation, HE the Minister of Transport affirmed that plans for the development of the aviation sector have been implemented.
Significant efforts have been made to develop this sector by building and improving a modern system with advanced modern services. Among its notable achievements are the full management of the "Doha Flight Information Region" for its airspace in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) decision.
Qatar also won the chairmanship of the Technical Cooperation Committee at ICAO, inaugurated the long-range radar and medium-range radar as part of the measures taken by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) to achieve the main strategic objectives for the Doha Flight Information Region (FIR). This aims to enhance air traffic control in Qatari airspace and provide early detection of air traffic within the region.
Concluding his statement to QNA, HE the Minister of Transport noted the update of several agreements and the increase of transportation rights to provide greater investment opportunities for the national carrier. He also mentioned the completion of the project to update the law regulating licenses for travel and airfreight offices, along with its executive decisions and final reviews, paving the way to complete the legislative procedures for issuing the new law.
Additionally, there have been organized training courses under the Qatar-Africa cooperation program. The number of automatic monitoring stations has been increased to 48 modern stations, enhancing the effectiveness and accuracy of monitoring and surveillance operations, improving the quality of services in terms of weather forecasts and warnings, especially during severe weather conditions. Moreover, there is a boost in meteorological services for air and sea navigation.
Furthermore, HE the Minister highlighted the launch of the Qatar Atlas, serving as a fundamental reference for the current climate in the country. It covers planning areas and governmental, private, and academic sectors in organizations and institutions. The atlas provides long-term climate information for various meteorological elements in the form of spatial maps, charts, and tables, making it the first climate atlas prepared for the state. (QNA)
